Since ill health and disease stem from 2 major causes: toxicity and deficiency, it would be prudent for us to address these issues in order to bring our bodies back into balance and regain our birth right… optimum health.

This article will address toxicity, as only when we become aware of damaging substances can we effectively remove them from our system. Some are obvious (cigarettes, pesticides, industrial chemicals, etc…) while others may surprise most people as they are substances that we use on a daily basis (vegetable oils, soy, milk products, shampoo, etc…).

Just because advertisers spend huge amounts of money to hire beautiful and famous actors/models, so called "experts", and doctors to entice the public to purchase their products, doesn’t mean that they are good for us. On the contrary, we may be spending lots of hard-earned money poisoning ourselves to the benefit of the corporations. We need to educate ourselves to avoid being victimized. Any time we contemplate purchasing an item, we need to ask ourselves how this product will affect our environment as ultimately, we the direct manifestations of mother Earth. How can polluted air, contaminated water, devitalized/barren soil sustain a healthy human or any other living being? It is impossible. Over 110 million tons of synthetic chemicals are produced and of the 60,000 widely used chemicals, a mere 2% has been examined for safety. So, is it a wonder that degenerative diseases like cancer, heart malfunctions, arthritis, chronic fatigue, autoimmune diseases such as lupus and MS, allergies, depression, ADHD, autism, etc…are more and more prevalent?

Below is a partial list of every day common toxins that should be avoided.

Dietary
1.	commercially processed foods (anything in packages, bags, boxes, cans, jars, etc…particularly mixes with a long list of ingredients).
2.	all refined sugars and sweeteners (most often hidden as fructose, sucrose, dextrose, maltose, high fructose corn syrup, etc…stay away from artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes.).
3.	all commercial vegetable oils (rancid, deodorized, bleached) with the exception of cold pressed virgin oil, coconut oil, palm oil. Particularly harmful are margarine, hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated fats and oils found abundantly in packaged foods.
4.	all pasteurized milk and dairy products (allergenic), particularly the non-fat, low-fat varieties.
5.	all fried foods cooked in rancid vegetable oils over high heat.
6.	commercial battery-produced eggs and factory farmed meats, especially cold cuts, processed luncheon meats/hotdogs/salami/sausages (containing hormones, pesticides, MSG, nitrites, preservatives, additives, etc…).
7.	grain/flour products, especially gluten containing grains (wheat, oat, rye, etc…), especially refined white flour products (bread, crackers, pastries, etc…).
8.	protein and milk powders (highly processed using high heat).
9.	rancid and improperly prepared nuts, seeds, grains found in breakfast cereals, granolas, bread/cake mixes, etc…
10.	bio-engineered, irradiated, sprayed, waxed, canned fruits and vegetables.
11.	all artificial food additives and preservatives like sodium nitrite, MSG (hydrolyzed vegetable protein), aspartame, sodium bicarbonate, etc…
12.	caffeine (coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, etc…).
13.	aluminum containing products such as commercial table salt, baking powder, antacids, etc…
14.	white distilled vinegar and artificial apple cider vinegar (one of the same).
15.	peanuts and its products (alfatoxin B/mold, allergenic).
16.	soy and its products (heavily GE’ed, interferes with thyroid function, difficult to digest, allergenic, etc…).
17.	corn (actually a grain) and its products (heavily GE’ed, high glycemic index, difficult to digest, allergenic, etc…).
18.	aluminum cookware and utensils.
19	fluoridated, chlorinated water either to drink, bathe, or swim in.
20.	distilled liquors.
21.	use of microwave ovens.

Personal Hygiene Products/ Body Care Products
1.	deodorants/talc (aluminum, toxic chemicals that block sweat and lymph ducts).
2.	shampoo, soap, conditioners, hair sprays/gel, laudry detergents, fabric softeners, etc… (sodium/ammonium laureth sulfate, alcohol, benz- compounds, propyl- compounds, coloring, etc…)
3.	fluoridated toothpastes (coloring, sugar, etc…)
4.	hair perms and dyes (toxic chemicals that’s absorbed directly into the scalp).
5.	cosmetics, nail polish, perfumes (filled with chemicals)
6.	dry cleaning (formaldehyde, etc…).

• Medication (all drugs have side effects and are loaded with toxic chemicals).
• Commercial cleaning agents, varnishes, air fresheners, etc...
• Cell phones, hair dryers and other electronics that emit high radiation.
• Silver (amalgam) tooth fillings (contains 50%+ toxic mercury).
• Vaccines (childhood, flu, etc…) containing heavy metals and undisclosed chemicals.
• New carpet, paint, gasoline, diesel exhaust, acetone, solvents, etc.. the list goes on & on.

Be vigilant about reading labels/ingredients. If you can’t pronounce it, it's not a food. Every time you spray something into the air, think about what it is, where it’ll end up, how it will affect the environment and its occupants. Just because it has dissipated doesn’t mean it has disappeared. When in doubt, look to nature.
Ask if this is something nature provided or man-made and adulterated.

The next article will address recommendations to improve diet and health and ways to achieve biochemical balance for mental/emotional stability.

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Teri N-Gwarek, OHP, has 15 years of experience in the field of holistic health, nutrition and lifestyle, specializing in anti-aging/longevity. She is a proponent of preventative health and offers in-home, email and phone consultation services. Visit Teri's website.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to replace the diagnosis, treatment and services of a physician. Any recommendations and indications are at the user's discretion. For severe or life-threatening conditions, always seek immediate medical attention.

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